gods that People Make

gods that People Make

by David Brenneman 

"And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.

"I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;" John 14:30.

"We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." 1 John 5:19-20.

"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds." 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.

This particular post is probably not what you were expecting. In fact it's more different than any I've been told to write thus far. 

I imagine it stemmed from a line in a Simon and Garfunkel song. "...the people bowed and prayed to the neon god they made...".

Our world is overflowing with created gods. It's overflowing with people and organizations who's aim is exactly what the Scriptures we just read are saying. Blinding the eyes of the unbelieving.  

Think about that verse for a moment. Blinding the eyes of the unbelieving. The eyes of the world. Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.  

Jesus said that HE is the Light of the world. “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling." John 16:1.

People in this world have practically magical means of creating their own gods that they are too blinded to see that they are indeed worshipping.  

The most blinded people are indeed those who have not come to Christ for salvation. They're believing that they have sight but in truth they have been blinded by the god of this world.  

They look to their deeds, their creativity, their desires, their lusts of the flesh, to lift themselves up. To be gods in and unto themselves.  

Satan's been presenting himself as a false light since his fall from the Heavens in being cast from the very presence of God Almighty. 

He was so convincing to even the Angels of God to cause an unknown vast amount to leave their Creator to worship him and to serve him. 

In our world today people are blinded by success, by cravings for what they cannot have. By the words of other's to affirm their utter sinfulness as being valid, good and just.

Blinded by the god of this world.  

Many Christians are tempted to be blinded as well by the stirring up of their sin nature while they yet breathe the breath of life.  

People who are blinded are also the architect of leading other's into their own blindness. Peer pressure. Presenting what is actually a stumbling block as something good, harmless and beautiful, beneficial even.  

A really stark reality is to see the result of taking away someone's "god". Then you see who it is they have actually been worshipping rather than just liking or thinking they were just a fan of. 

Satan's schemes are wholly centered around drawing people away from the one true Light of the world, Jesus Christ. 

Causing people to believe that they can "see" just as well as those who are in Christ. 

"And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him. And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “We are not blind too, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains." John 9:38-41.

Their sins remain. 

It's certainly not just the neon gods that people make. What's dubbed as aspects of culture whereby people immerse themselves in anything that's not necessarily for coming to Christ, abiding in Christ, or growing in Christ is going to be a potential stumbling block to those who do see by the Light of Jesus Christ or those whom are blinded by the god of this world. 

Everything from family to sports to movies to political parties to celebrities to being activists to you name it. If it can be used against people for them to be living a life approved by Jesus Christ...it's a potential liability. It can be used to blind people. 

My Dear Reader...it's not just a passing idea to examine yourself before Jesus. It's not just something for Pastors to do or Sunday School teachers or Life Group leaders. KNOWING whether or not you are being blinded is something you desperately need to know now, not later. 

How you dress is a telltale sign. 

What music you listen to is a telltale sign.

What grabs and keeps your attention can be a telltale sign. 

Who grabs and keeps your attention as well. 

Ask Jesus for whatever has possibly been blinding you to be revealed to you. Ask Him to open the eyes of those around you to the truth of God in Christ Jesus.  

"You will either worship the God who created you or the god you created."

I heard that in a sermon year's ago and it still rings true today. 

Your eyes may be open but it doesn't immediately follow that you're seeing correctly.  

There's the truth of God that we're in a spiritual war. The Bible says that clearly. If you're not seeing it or believing it...what is that saying about your true spiritual vision?

What does it say about people who are not taking God at His word about living a life approved by Jesus according to the Word of God?  

What might you be embracing that is in reality a god of this world instead of the One True God, our Lord Jesus Christ?

When we take what belongs to God and redirect it to anyone or anything in this world...it shows our degree of blindness. 

Are you wearing symbols of idolatry and the world has convinced you otherwise? Are your walls adorned with symbols of idolatry and you are denying that they are just that?

Idolatry never died off centuries ago. Satan's only better at sugar coating it so well that it's desirable in ways that we find so satisfying. 

Pray that your eyes may be opened to God's truth not your perception of the truth. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.